Mutual support, friendship, cooperation and trust vowed

Saturday marked the first day of President Xi Jinping's packed schedule of meetings with visiting leaders on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in the coastal city of Qingdao. Following are highlights of the bilateral talks.

China will continue to firmly support Pakistan to safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, President Xi Jinping said while meeting with Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain.

China supports Pakistan to select its own development path, and China will continue to work with Pakistan as they support each other on issues related to their core interests, thus safeguarding the interests of both countries as well as the common interests of developing nations, Xi said.

Xi welcomed Hussain, who is attending the summit as a formal member of the SCO for the first time since Pakistan was accepted as a full member of the organization last year.

The development of China-Pakistan relations has gained momentum in recent years, and the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership is not only the wealth of both countries, but also a leading model for a new type of international relations, Xi said.

Noting that China attaches great importance to developing relations with Pakistan, Xi said China would like to enhance high-level exchanges and strategic communication with Pakistan, boost friendly exchanges in all areas, steadily push forward building the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and enhance cooperation in energy and infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Pakistan will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and stands with China on all core issues, including the South China Sea issue, Hussain said.

"China is our closest friend and strongest partner," he told Xi.

Pakistan would like to maintain high-level exchanges with China, deepen cooperation in all areas such as economy, trade and security, and push the building of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Hussain said.

Pakistan supports China in playing a bigger role in global affairs, which is of great significance for maintaining global security and stability, he added.